Fruit trees can start off pretty small!

Years ago we planted an Asian pear tree in the park and it was vandalized soon after, broken off at the bottom of the trunk.

The roots of the tree – called the “rootstock” continued to grow. And so last year we grafted some new Asian pear buds on it. Once those buds sprout this spring, we will have a brand new tree!

But for now that little tree is pretty small. And neighbourhood rabbits love to munch on the new sprouts. If allowed to do so, our tree will never be able to grow.

So at last week’s stewardship, Giselle and Brian used window screening to build a little rabbit fence to keep those “rascally rabbits” away!

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Spring must be here! It’s time to jump for joy (thanks Brian…that looks like a lot of work!). Then, after you are finished jumping, it’s time to put in our calendars our stewardship dates for 2023.

Mark these dates in your calendar!

On all days we will do our regular jobs of working on the fruit trees or in the pollinator garden, weeding, deadheading, etc. But some days have a few special projects and they will be marked below. We usually meet at 9 am and finish up at 11 am.

• Saturday, April 15 – (shed and garden cleanup)
• Sunday, April 30 – (mulch circles)
• Saturday, May 6 – ALL HANDS ON DECK! (Compost mulching…we need everyone today!)
• Saturday, May 13 – (Mother’s Day is the 14th) 
• Saturday, May 20
• Sunday, May 28 – (Molasses 1)
• Saturday, June 3 – ALL HANDS ON DECK (Wood chip mulching…we need everyone today!)
• Sunday, June 11 – (Father’s Day is the 18th)
• Saturday, June 24 – (Molasses 2) Lead: Gail
• Saturday, July 8 – (tree painting and orchard sox)
• Sunday, July 23 – (Molasses 3) Lead: Real
• Sunday, August 13 – (table scrubbing)
• Saturday, August 26 – (table sanding and oiling) Lead: Gail
• Sunday, September 10 – (tool sharpening)
•  Saturday, September 23 – (trap cleanup and potluck at harvest table)
• Saturday, October 7 – (thanksgiving is Monday, the 9th) Lead: Gail
• Sunday, October 22 – (shed cleanup and garden to bed)

PS…Thanks to Brian (and Susan!) for the hard work this past weekend. Setting the scene for a fantastic fruit tree and garden season in 2023!

The growing season is coming to an end and it’s time to clean and sharpen our tools so that they’re ready to use in 2023! So, this week, the Ben Nobleman Park crew gathered for an informal tool sharpening workshop.

Maintaining your tools correctly is essential if you want to keep your trees and plants healthy. Dull and dirty tools will crush rather than cut branches and those messy pruning cuts can become an entry point for pests and diseases.

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